RESOLUTION
WHEREAS, Bishop J.O. Patterson, Jr., has been called to eternal life by the wisdom of God at the age of seventy-six; and
WHEREAS, The City Council has been informed of his passing by Alderman Edward M. Burke; and
WHEREAS, Bishop J.O. Patterson, Jr., was a widely admired member of the religious community and the first African-American Mayor of Memphis, Tennessee; and
WHEREAS, Bishop J.O. Patterson, Jr., was appointed Interim Mayor of Memphis in 1982, and though he only served for twenty days, he made numerous high-profile decisions and appointments; and
WHEREAS, Bishop J.O. Patterson, Jr., earned his law degree from DePaul University in Chicago and practiced law before he entered politics; and
WHEREAS, Bishop J.O. Patterson, Jr., served for three terms in the Tennessee State House and for five terms as a member of the Memphis City Council; and
WHEREAS, Bishop J.O. Patterson, Jr., was a respected leader of the Church of God in Christ which was founded by his grandfather; and
WHEREAS, Bishop J.O. Patterson, Jr., was described by his colleagues as a gifted leader of honesty, intelligence, and calm; and
WHEREAS, The hard work, dedication and sacrifice of Bishop J.O. Patterson, Jr., serve as an example to all; and
WHEREAS, Bishop J.O. Patterson, Jr., will be dearly missed and fondly remembered by his many relatives, friends and colleagues; and
WHEREAS, To his beloved family, Bishop J.O. Patterson, Jr., imparts a legacy of faithfulness, service and dignity; now, therefore
BE IT RESOLVED, That we, the Mayor and the members of the Chicago City Council, assembled this twenty-eighth day of July, 2011, do hereby commemorate Bishop J.O. Patterson, Jr., for his grace-filled life and do hereby express our condolences to his family; and
BE IT FURTHER RESOLVED, That a suitable copy of this resolution be presented to the family of Bishop J.O. Patterson, Jr.
Alderman - 14th Ward